U.S. patent number 7,519,685 [Application Number 10/406,217] was granted by the patent office on 2009-04-14 for contents linkage information delivery system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Wataru Ikeda, Masataka Minami, Masao Nonaka, Motoji Ohmori, Atsushi Saso, Kazuhisa Watanabe, Masato Yamamichi, Masaya Yamamoto.
United States Patent |
7,519,685 |
Nonaka , et al. |
April 14, 2009 |
Contents linkage information delivery system
Abstract
A contents linkage information delivery system for delivering a
related content that is associated with another content. The system
includes a first playback apparatus, a server for transmitting the
related content, and a second playback apparatus for playing back
the related content, which each communicate via a communications
channel. The first playback apparatus includes a playback position
information acquisition unit for acquiring time-base playback
position information of the other content, a request input unit for
receiving a user request, and a first transmission unit for
transmitting the time-base playback position information. The
server includes a first reception unit for receiving the time-base
playback position information a related content acquisition unit
for acquiring the related content based on the time-base playback
position information, and a second transmission unit for
transmitting the related content. The second playback apparatus
includes a second reception unit.
Inventors: |
Nonaka; Masao (Kadoma,
JP), Yamamichi; Masato (Kadoma, JP),
Ohmori; Motoji (Hirakata, JP), Yamamoto; Masaya
(Hirakata, JP), Ikeda; Wataru (Osaka, JP),
Minami; Masataka (Arcadia, CA), Watanabe; Kazuhisa
(Yokohama, JP), Saso; Atsushi (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Panasonic Corporation (Osaka,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
33158493 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/406,217 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20050262217 A1 |
Nov 24, 2005 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
7/17318 (20130101); H04N 21/42646 (20130101); H04N
21/43622 (20130101); H04N 21/84 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
15/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;709/219 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 398 970 |
|
Mar 2004 |
|
EP |
|
7-321748 |
|
Dec 1995 |
|
JP |
|
8-287107 |
|
Nov 1996 |
|
JP |
|
9-307859 |
|
Nov 1997 |
|
JP |
|
10-63734 |
|
Mar 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-105452 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
JP |
|
2002-109259 |
|
Apr 2002 |
|
JP |
|
2002-374480 |
|
Dec 2002 |
|
JP |
|
02/03699 |
|
Jan 2002 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Pwu; Jeffrey
Assistant Examiner: Bruckart; Benjamin R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack,
L.L.P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A playback apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads
content stored on a recording medium; a receiving unit that
receives, from a server, electronic bulletin board information
corresponding to the content, the electronic bulletin board
information containing (i) a comment corresponding to a
predetermined position of the content and (ii) an instruction item
that corresponds to the comment and indicates that a currently
played-back position of the content is to change to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the comment;
a playback unit that plays back the content read from the recording
medium and the electronic bulletin board information corresponding
to the content; and a display unit that displays, on a screen, the
content and the electronic bulletin board information corresponding
to the content, wherein, when an instruction item of electronic
bulletin board information displayed on the screen is selected from
the screen, the playback unit changes a playback position of the
content from the currently played-back position of the content to
the predetermined position of the content corresponding to the
comment.
2. A server apparatus connected to a playback apparatus that reads
content stored on a recording medium, the server apparatus
comprising: a storing unit that stores electronic bulletin board
information corresponding to the content, the electronic bulletin
board information containing (i) a comment corresponding to a
predetermined position of the content and (ii) an instruction item
that corresponds to the comment and indicates that a currently
played-back position of the content is to change to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the comment;
and a transmitting unit that transmits, to the playback apparatus,
the electronic bulletin board information corresponding to the
content, wherein the playback apparatus plays back the content read
from the recording medium and the electronic bulletin board
information corresponding to the content and transmitted from the
server apparatus and displays, on a screen, the content and the
electronic bulletin board information corresponding to the content,
and wherein, when an instruction item of electronic bulletin board
information displayed on the screen is selected from the screen,
the playback apparatus changes a playback position of the content
from the currently played-back position of the content to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the
comment.
3. A playback method comprising: reading content stored on a
recording medium; receiving, from a server, electronic bulletin
board information corresponding to the content, the electronic
bulletin board information containing (i) a comment corresponding
to a predetermined position of the content and (ii) an instruction
item that corresponds to the comment and indicates that a currently
played-back position of the content is to change to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the comment;
playing back the content read from the recording medium and the
electronic bulletin board information corresponding to the content;
and displaying, on a screen, the content and the electronic
bulletin board information corresponding to the content, wherein,
when an instruction item of electronic bulletin board information
displayed on the screen is selected from the screen, a playback
position of the content is changed from the currently played-back
position of the content to the predetermined position of the
content corresponding to the comment.
4. A method for controlling a server apparatus connectable to a
playback apparatus that reads content stored on a recording medium,
the method comprising: storing electronic bulletin board
information corresponding to the content, the electronic bulletin
board information containing (i) a comment corresponding to a
predetermined position of the content and (ii) an instruction item
that corresponds to the comment and indicates that a currently
played-back position of the content is to change to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the comment;
and transmitting, to the playback apparatus, the electronic
bulletin board information corresponding to the content, wherein
the playback apparatus plays back the content read from the
recording medium and the electronic bulletin board information
corresponding to the content and transmitted from the server
apparatus and displays, on a screen, the content and the electronic
bulletin board information corresponding to the content, and
wherein, when an instruction item of electronic bulletin board
information displayed on the screen is selected from the screen,
the playback apparatus changes a playback position of the content
from the currently played-back position of the content to the
predetermined position of the content corresponding to the comment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to content playback technology. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a contents linkage
information delivery system which allows a user to receive a
related content that is associated with a specific playback
position of another content.
(2) Description of the Related Art
With the prevalence of large-capacity recording mediums, it is now
common practice to distribute recording mediums storing contents
such as music and movies in digital form. Further, the recent
prevalence of having a continuous connection to the Internet allows
users to acquire, via a communications channel, contents according
to their detailed interests. When delivering a content stored on a
recording medium, the following advantage may be achieved. That is,
with the use of a large-capacity recording medium such as a CD or a
DVD, a large amount of contents may be provided all at once in high
quality. On the other hand, when delivering a content via a
communications channel, the following advantage may be achieved.
That is, owing to bidirectional communications offered between
users and a content provider by, for example, a WWW service, the
content provider can provide contents that closely relates to
interests of each user. Accordingly, by appropriately combining the
two delivery methods, contents may be delivered taking advantages
of both methods. What is important when combining the two methods
is how to associate a content provided on a recording medium and a
content provided via a communications channel. One known contents
linkage technique is to associate an HTML (Hyper Text Markup
Language) content recorded on an optical disc to an HTML content
stored on a server (See for example, Japanese unexamined patent
application 09-307859. The technique is briefly described
below.
HTML contents are basically composed of text data, image data, and
link information showing playback procedure of the data. Suppose a
recording medium has an HTML content recorded thereon, and a user
plays back the HTML content according to the link information
recorded on the recording medium. The link information recorded on
the recording medium additionally includes links to HTML contents
stored on the server which is connected via a communications
channel, so that the HTML contents are provided with increased
interactivity. With this arrangement, the user can acquire and play
back HTML contents listed in the link information recorded on the
recording medium. As described above, this technique is to
associate an HTML content on a recording medium with related HTML
contents on the server using link information contained in the HTML
content on the recording medium.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY PRESENT INVENTION
The prior art technique described above is limited to a case where
a content, such as an HTML content, recorded on a recording medium
includes link information to related contents. With the above prior
art technique, when a content recorded on a recording medium is a
movie or audio content that does not include link information to
related contents, it is impossible to associate the content
recorded on the recording medium with related contents that are
accessible via a communications channel. However, there is a demand
for such a technique. For example, when a DVD stores a movie
content, a user who has purchased the DVD plays back the movie
content for viewing. Here, suppose it is possible to acquire, via
the Internet, information regarding stores selling furniture that
appears in the movie, or a still image of a scene of the movie as
wall-paper for a mobile phone. If these advantages are realized,
the user is offered a great deal of convenience as he can acquire,
additionally to a high-quality content from the DVD, related
contents that meet detailed requests of the user via the Internet.
In view of the above, in a future content delivery system, it is
assumed that some contents are delivered in form of a recording
medium such as DVD and some contents are delivered via a
communications channel such as the Internet. Here, users are
allowed to acquire, via the Internet, a content that is associated
with a content recorded on a recording medium such as DVD, so that
the users are offered a great deal of convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to
provide a contents linkage information delivery system for
delivering, via a communications channel, a related content that is
associated with a content recorded on a recording medium in
response to a user request. The contents linkage information
delivery system is applicable even if the recorded content is not
an HTML content including link information showing links to the
related contents, but a video or audio content without such link
information. With the contents linkage information delivery system
according to the present invention, a content recorded on a
recording medium is not required to include link information
embedded therein. Accordingly, there is a significant effect that
the present invention is applicable to existing DVDs and CDs
storing movie contents and music contents that include no link
information.
To solve the above problem, a first aspect of the invention is
directed to a contents linkage information delivery system for
delivering a related content that is associated with another
content. The contents linkage information delivery system includes
a first playback apparatus for playing back another content, a
server for transmitting the related content, and a second playback
apparatus for playing back the related content. The first playback
apparatus, the server, and the second playback apparatus mutually
communicate via a communications channel. The first playback
apparatus includes a playback position information acquisition unit
operable to acquire time-base playback position information of the
another content, a request input unit operable to receive a request
from a user, and a first transmission unit operable to transmit,
based on the request, the acquired time-base playback position
information. The sever includes a first reception unit operable to
receive the time-base playback position information transmitted
from the first playback apparatus, a related content acquisition
unit operable to acquire the related content based on the time-base
playback position information and a second transmission unit
operable to transmit the acquired related content. The second
playback apparatus includes a second reception unit operable to
receive the related content transmitted from the server, and a
first output unit operable to output the received related
content.
Further, a second aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to the first
aspect. Here, the first playback apparatus may further include an
elapsed-time measurement unit operable to measure an elapsed time
between a start of playback of the another content and a reception
of the request, and the time-base playback position information may
be derived based on the elapsed time.
Still further, a third aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to the
second aspect. Here, the elapsed-time measurement unit may measure
the elapsed time based on a time of day at which the playback of
the another content is started and a time of day at which the
request is received.
Still further, a fourth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to the
second aspect. Here, said another content may include time
information showing an elapsed time since the start of the
playback. The elapsed-time information measurement unit may measure
the elapsed time based on the time information.
Still further, a fifth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-fourth aspects. Here, the time-base playback position
information may further include a content identifier identifying a
content. The related content acquisition unit may acquire the
related content based on the time-base playback position
information and the content identifier.
Still further, a sixth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-fifth aspects. Here, the first playback apparatus may
further include a second output unit operable to output the another
content on a display screen. The request further may include
display-position specifying information that specifies a section of
said another content on the display screen. The time-base playback
position information may further include the display-position
specifying information.
Still further, a seventh aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-sixth aspects. Here, the related content may be the
specified section of the another content.
Still further, an eighth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-sixth aspects. Here, the related content may be
information providing additional explanation of the another
content.
Still further, a ninth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-eight aspects. Here, the time-base playback position
information may further include a user identifier identifying a
user. The server may perform billing so that the user identified by
the user identifier is charged for the related content in
accordance with usage of the related content.
Still further, a tenth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-ninth aspects. Here, the server may store therein a
related content group composed of the related content as well as a
plurality other related contents. Each related content may be
stored along with a corresponding piece of time-base playback
position information. The related content acquisition unit may
acquire the related content from the related content group.
Still further, an eleventh aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to any
of the first-ninth aspects. Here, the related content acquisition
unit may acquire the related content from an external source via
the communications channel.
Still further, a twelfth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to any of
the first-eleventh aspects. Here, the first playback apparatus and
the second playback apparatus may be one and the same
apparatus.
Still further, a thirteenth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to any
of the first-twelfth aspects. Here, the another content may be
distributed in form of a recording medium.
Still further, a fourteenth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to any
of the first-twelfth aspects. Here, the another content may be
distributed via the communications channel.
Alternatively, to solve the above problem, a fifteenth aspect of
the invention is directed to the contents linkage information
delivery system for delivering a related content that is associated
with another content. The contents linkage information delivery
system includes a playback apparatus for playing back the another
content based on time-base playback position information and a
server for transmitting the time-base playback position
information. The playback apparatus and the server mutually
communicate via a communications channel. The playback apparatus
includes a first reception unit operable to acquire the related
content from the server a request input unit operable to receive a
request from a user and a playback position determination unit
operable to determine, based on the request and the related
content, a starting position of the playback of the another
content. The server includes a first transmission unit operable to
transmit the related content.
Further, a sixteenth aspect of the invention is directed to the
contents linkage information delivery system according to the
fifteenth aspect. Here, the related content may include time-base
playback position information used for determining, in terms of a
playback time, the playback starting position of the playback of
the another content.
Still further, a seventeenth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to the
fifteenth aspect. Here, the another content may be recorded on a
recording medium. The related content may include time-base
playback position information used for determining the playback
starting position of said another content recorded on the recording
medium.
Still further, an eighteenth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to any
of the fifteenth-seventeenth aspects Here, the playback apparatus
may further include a related content request input unit operable
to receive, from the user, a related-content request requesting the
related content and a second transmission unit operable to transmit
the related-content request to the server. The server may include a
second reception unit operable to receive the user-inputted
related-content request and a determination unit operable to
determine whether to transmit the related content based on the
related-content request.
Still further, a nineteenth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to any
of the fifteenth-eighteenth aspect. Here, the playback apparatus
may include a linkage unit operable to output a linkage content
that is associatively composed of the related content and the
another content and an output unit operable to output the linkage
content.
Still further, a twentieth aspect of the invention is directed to
the contents linkage information delivery system according to the
nineteenth aspect. Here, the linkage unit may output the linkage
content by associatively playing back said another content on a
part of a display screen and the related content on another part of
the display screen.
Still further, a twenty-first aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the eighteenth-twentieth aspects. Here, the related-content
request may include a content identifier identifying the another
content and the determination unit transmits the related content
based on the content identifier and the related-content
request.
Still further, a twenty-second aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-first aspects. Here, the output unit
may play back said another content on a display screen. The related
content may further include display-position specifying information
that specifies a section of the another content on the display
screen. The linkage unit outputs the related content associatively
with the display-position specifying information.
Still further, a twenty-third aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-first aspects. Here, the related
content may further include information providing additional
explanation of said another content.
Still further, a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-third aspects. Here, the
related-content request may further include a user identifier
identifying a user. The server may perform billing so that the user
identified by the user identifier is charged for the related
content in accordance with usage of the related content.
Still further, a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-fourth aspects. Here, the server may
further store therein a related content group composed of the
related content as well as a plurality of other related contents
and include a related content acquisition unit operable to acquire
the related content from the related content group.
Still further, a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-fourth aspects. Here, the server may
further include a related content acquisition unit operable to
acquire the related content from an external source via the
communications channel.
Still further, a twenty-seventh aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-sixth aspects. Here, the another
content may be distributed in form of a recording medium.
Still further, a twenty-eight aspect of the invention is directed
to the contents linkage information delivery system according to
any of the fifteenth-twenty-sixth aspects Here, said another
content may be distributed via the communications channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and the other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will become apparent from the following description
thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which
illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a view showing an overview of a contents linkage
information delivery system 1 of embodiment 1 according to the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of content data CNTDATA of
embodiment 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a first
playback apparatus 12 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 4 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a counter
unit 123 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a user
information storage unit 124 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 6 is a view showing one example of playback position
information TI1 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of operations performed by the first playback
apparatus 12 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a server 13
of embodiment 1;
FIG. 9 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a destination
address storage unit 133 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 10 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a content
storage unit 135 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of operations performed by the server 13 of
embodiment 1;
FIG. 12 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a second
playback apparatus 14 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of operations performed by the second
playback apparatus 14 of embodiment 1;
FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of playback according to a
modification (2) of embodiment 1;
FIG. 15 is a view showing an overview of a contents linkage
information delivery system 2 of embodiment 2 according to the
present invention;
FIG. 16 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a playback
apparatus 22 of embodiment 2;
FIG. 17 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a content
identifier storage unit 223 of embodiment 2;
FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of playback position
information request REQTI of embodiment 2;
FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of playback position
information TI2 of embodiment 2;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of operations performed by the playback
apparatus 22 of embodiment 2;
FIG. 21 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a server 23
of embodiment 2;
FIG. 22 is a view showing an exemplary construction of a playback
position information storage unit 235 of embodiment 2;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of operations performed by the server 23 of
embodiment 2;
FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of playback according to a
modification (1) of embodiment 2;
FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of playback of a first content
CNT1 that is associated with playback position information TI2
according to the modification (1) of embodiment 2;
FIG. 26 is a view showing an example of playback of bulletin board
information that is associated with a first content CNT1 according
to a modification (2) of embodiment 2; and
FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of playback, according to
modification (2) of embodiment 2, of a list of scenes at which a
request has been issued.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawing, the following describes
preferred embodiments of a contents linkage information delivery
system according to the present invention.
Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, Description is Given to a Contents Linkage information
delivery system 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
First, with reference to FIG. 1, an overview of embodiment 1 is
given and then a concrete example is described briefly.
In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a portable medium,
which is a recording medium such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM having
content data CNTDATA recorded thereon. The content data CNTDATA
includes a first content CNT1, such as a video content or an audio
content, in a format compliant with a later described first
playback apparatus. Reference numeral 11 denotes a communications
channel, which is a network such as the Internet. Reference numeral
12 is the first playback apparatus which is an apparatus that reads
and plays back the first content CNT1 included in the content data
CNTDATA recorded on the portable medium 10. The first playback
apparatus 12 is provided with functions of generating, upon receipt
of a user request REQ from outside, playback position information
TI1 based on a position of the first content CNT1 that is currently
played back, and then transmitting the thus generated playback
position information TI1 to a later-described server via the
communications channel 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes the server
which receives the playback position information TI1 from the first
playback apparatus 12 via the communications channel 11. The
playback position information TI1 shows a playback position of
which related content is requested by the user. In addition, the
server 13 acquires a second content CNT2 based on the received
playback position information TI1, and transmits the acquired
second content CNT2 to a second playback apparatus 14 via the
communications channel 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes the second
playback apparatus which is provided with a function of playing
back the second content CNT2 received from the server 13 via the
communications channel 11.
The contents linkage information delivery system 1 is applicable to
where a content provider has delivered content data CNTDATA to a
user by way of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM.
During playback of a first content CNT1 included in the content
data CNTDATA, a user makes a request for a related content that is
associated with the first content CNT1 by transmitting, to the
server 13, playback position information TI1 showing a playback
position of the first content CNT1 to which the requested related
content relates. Receiving the playback position information TI1,
the server 13 specifies the playback position of the first content
CNT1, and transmits the requested related content as a second
content CNT2 to the second playback apparatus 14 that is owned by
the user who has made the request. As above, the contents linkage
information delivery system 1 receives playback position
information TI1 transmitted from a playback apparatus owned by a
user, so that a content provider is allowed to flexibly deliver a
related content that meets a detailed request from the user.
Next, a concrete example embodying the present embodiment is
briefly described. A user owns a player (first playback apparatus
12) and a mobile phone (second playback apparatus 14) both
connected to the Internet (communications channel 11). The user
purchases a packaged medium (portable medium 10) having movie data
(content data CNTDATA) recorded thereon, and starts playback, with
the player, of a movie content (first content CNT1) included in the
movie data. Upon start of the playback, the player initializes a
counter value that is used to specify a current playback position,
and then increments the counter value by 1 for every second. During
the playback of the movie content, the user finds one scene that
meets his preference, and thus depresses a capture button on a
remote controller of the player. This operation of depressing the
capture button is taken as a request REQ. In response, the player
generates information showing the playback time (playback position
information TI1) based on the counter value held at the time of
receiving the request REQ. The player then transmits the playback
time information to a content management server (server 13). In
response, the content management server transmits, to the mobile
phone owned by the user, wall-paper data (second content CNT2) for
displaying the user requested scene. The mobile phone then receives
the wall-paper data, so that the user can use the received
wall-paper data.
This concludes the brief description of a concrete example
embodying the present embodiment. Hereinafter, description is given
in detail to the contents linkage information delivery system 1
which is one embodiment of the present invention.
<Construction of Contents Linkage Information Delivery System
1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the contents linkage information delivery
system 1 is composed of the portable medium 10, the communications
channel 11, the first playback apparatus 12, the server 13, and the
second playback apparatus 14.
The first playback apparatus 12 plays back a first content CNT1
that is included in the content data CNTDATA recorded on the
portable medium 10. Further, in response to an external request,
the first playback apparatus 12 transmits to the server 13,
playback position information TI1 regarding a playback position of
the first content CNT1. Upon receipt of the playback position
information TI1 from the first playback apparatus 12, the server 13
delivers to the second playback apparatus 14, a second content CNT2
that is associated with the playback position shown by the received
playback position information TI1.
Hereinafter, description is given in detail to the above
components. First, the constructions of the portable medium 10 and
the communications channel 11 are described. Then, the
constructions and operations of the first playback apparatus 12,
the server 13, and the second playback apparatus 14 are
described.
<Construction of Portable Medium 10>
The portable medium 10 is, for example, a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM on
which a content such as a movie or music has been recorded in
advance. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the portable
medium 10 has recorded thereon content data CNTDATA that is
composed of a content identifier CID and a first content CNT1. The
content identifier CID is an identifier uniquely identifying the
first content CNT1 included in the content data CNTDATA recorded on
the portable medium 10. The first content CNT1 is data representing
a content in a format readable by the first playback apparatus 12.
For example, the first content CNT1 may be video data in MPEG
format or music data in MP3 format, while the content identifier
CID may be the title of a movie or song, i.e., the first content
1.
<Construction of Communications Channel 11>
The communications channel 11 is a network such as the Internet, a
telephone line, or a dedicated line.
<Construction of First Playback Apparatus 12>
As shown in FIG. 3, the first playback apparatus 12 is composed of
an access unit 121, a first output unit 122, a counter unit 123, a
user information storage unit 124, a request input unit 125, a
control unit 126, and a first transmission unit 127.
(1) Access Unit 121
To start playback of the portable medium 10, the access unit 121
extracts the content identifier CID from the content data CNTDATA
recorded on the portable medium 10, and outputs the extracted
content identifier CID to the counter unit 123. The access unit 121
keeps reading the content data CNTDATA to sequentially output the
first content CNT1 part by part to the first output unit 122.
(2) First Output Unit 122
The first output unit 122 sequentially receives the first content
CNT1 from the access unit 121 and outputs the received part to
outside. The first output unit 122 may be provided with a display
or a speaker to play back a video content or an audio content.
Alternatively, the first output unit 122 may output a content onto
the portable medium 10 or another recording medium, or produce
printed output.
(3) Counter Unit 123
As shown in FIG. 4, the counter unit 123 holds a content identifier
CID and a counter CTR, which is an eight-digit decimal number. The
values of the counter CTR and the content identifier CID can be
referenced by the control unit 126, and both values are initialized
to 0 at the start of playback of the first content CNT1 recorded on
the portable medium 10. In addition, when receiving a content
identifier CID from the access unit 121, the counter unit 123
stores therein the received content identifier CID, and initializes
the counter CTR to zero. The counter unit 123 then automatically
increments the counter CTR by one for every predetermined time
period, e.g., 1 ms. The counter CTR is, for example, a time-code,
which is a time-axis format used for measuring an elapsed time from
the start of playback of the content or for synchronizing video
data and audio data. Note that the counter CTR is not limited to an
eight-digit decimal number, and may be a number in any digits
expressed in any numerical system.
(4) User Information Storage Unit 124
As shown in FIG. 5, the user information storage unit 124 holds a
user identifier UID. The user identifier UID is an identifier
uniquely identifying a user (owner) of the first playback apparatus
12. For example, the user identifier UID may be assigned to the
first playback apparatus 12 at the time of manufacturing, or the
user's credit card number.
(5) Request Input Unit 125
The request input unit 125 is to receive an external input of a
request REQ. To be more specific, for example, the request input
unit 125 is provided with a button, keypad, computer keyboard, or
computer mouse. The request REQ is a signal indicative of a user
request issued at the push of a button, for example. Upon receipt
of a request REQ inputted externally by a user, the request input
unit 125 outputs the received request REQ to the control unit
126.
(6) Control Unit 126
Upon receipt of a request REQ from the request input unit 125, the
control unit 126 acquires the counter CTR and the content
identifier CID both from the counter unit 123, and the user
identifier UID from the user information storage unit 124. The
control unit 126 then generates playback position information TI1
from the acquired content identifier CID, counter CTR, and user
identifier UID. As shown in FIG. 6, the playback position
information TI1 is composed of the content identifier CID, the
counter CTR, and the user identifier UID. The control unit 126
transmits the thus generated playback position information TI1 to
the first transmission unit 127.
(7) First Transmission unit 127
Upon receipt of the playback position information TI1 from the
control unit 126, the first transmission unit 127 transmits the
received playback position information TI1 to the server 13 via the
communications channel 11.
<Operations of First Playback Apparatus 12>
Up to this point, description has been given to the construction of
the first playback apparatus 12. Now, description is given to
operations of the first playback apparatus 12. First, in response
to initialization of the counter CTR held in the counter unit 123,
the first playback apparatus 12 causes the counter unit 123 to
automatically increment the counter CTR by one for every
predetermined time period, e.g., 1 ms. Independently of the
operation performed regarding the counter CTR held by the counter
unit 123, the first playback apparatus 12 performs the operations
shown in a flowchart in FIG. 7.
First, the access unit 121 extracts the content identifier CID from
the content data CNTDATA recorded on the portable medium 10, and
outputs the extracted content identifier CID to the counter unit
123. The counter unit 123 stores therein the received content
identifier CID, and initializes the counter CTR (step S101).
The access unit 121 sequentially extracts the first content CNT1
part by part from the content data CNTDATA recorded on the portable
medium 10 (step S102).
The access unit 121 sequentially outputs the extracted first
content CNT1 to the first output unit 122 (step S103).
Next, the first output unit 122 sequentially outputs the first
content CNT1 received from the access unit 121 to the outside (step
S104).
Next, in the case where the request input unit 125 has not yet
received an external input of a request REQ, the processing goes
onto a step S111 described below. On the other hand, in the case
where the request input unit 125 has received a request REQ, the
processing goes onto a step S106 (step S105).
The request input unit 125 then outputs the received request REQ to
the control unit 126 (step S106).
The control unit 126 acquires the counter CTR and the content
identifier CID from the counter unit 123 (step S107).
The control unit 126 further acquires a user identifier UID from
the user information storage unit 124 (step S108).
The control unit 126 generates playback position information TI1
from the counter CTR, the content identifier CID, and the user
identifier UID, and outputs the generated playback position
information TI1 to the first transmission unit 127 (step S109).
Next, the first transmission unit 127 transmits the playback
position information TI1 received from the control unit 116 to the
server 13 via the communications channel 11 (step S110).
The access unit 121 terminates the processing upon completing the
output of the entire first content CNT1 included in the content
data CNTDATA to the first output unit 122. On the other hand, when
the first content CNT1 included in the content data CNTDATA has not
yet been played back completely, the processing goes back to the
step S102 (step S111).
This concludes description of the construction and operations of
the first playback apparatus 12, which is one component of the
contents linkage information delivery system 1. Next, description
is given to the construction and operations of the server 13.
<Construction of Server 13>
As shown in FIG. 8, the server 13 is composed of a first reception
unit 131, a destination address acquisition unit 132, a destination
address storage unit 133, a content acquisition unit 134, a content
storage unit 135, and a second transmission unit 136.
(1) First Reception Unit 131
Upon receiving playback position information TI1 from the first
playback apparatus 12 via the communications channel 11, the first
reception unit 131 extracts a user identifier UID, a content
identifier CID, and a counter CTR from the received playback
position information TI1. The first reception unit 131 then outputs
the extracted user identifier UID to the destination address
acquisition unit 132, and transmits the extracted content
identifier CID and counter CTR to the content acquisition unit
134.
(2) Destination Address Acquisition Unit 132
The destination address acquisition unit 132 receives the user
identifier UID from the first reception unit 131. Upon receipt, the
destination address acquisition unit 132 makes an access to the
destination address storage unit 133, which is shown in FIG. 9, to
acquire a destination address ADR that corresponds to the received
user identifier UID. The destination address ADR is information
uniquely specifying the address of the second playback apparatus
14, and examples include an internet mail address and an IP
address. The destination address acquisition unit 132 then outputs
the acquired destination address ADR to the second transmission
unit 136.
(3) Destination Address Storage Unit 133
As shown in FIG. 9, the destination address storage unit 133 stores
destination addresses ADR in a one-to-one correspondence with user
identifiers UID. In FIG. 9, the user identifier UID-1 corresponds
to the destination address ADR-1, the user identifier UID-2 to the
destination address ADR-2, and the user identifier UID-k to the
destination address ADR-k. Accordingly, it is possible to specify a
destination address ADR that corresponds to the received user
identifier UID. The specified destination address ADR, in other
words, is an address of the second playback apparatus 14, which is
owned by the user corresponding to the received user identifier
UID. The destination address acquisition unit 132 accesses the
destination address storage unit 133 to acquire a destination
address ADR that corresponds to the received user identifier UID.
Each user preliminary registers, in the destination address storage
unit 133, a user identifier UID together with a corresponding
destination address ADR. To this end, for example, the users have
sent and register their user identifiers UID and destination
addresses ADR by mail or by a WEB service.
(4) Content Acquisition Unit 134
The content acquisition unit 134 receives a content identifier CID
and a counter CTR from the first reception unit 131. With reference
to the received content identifier CID and counter CTR, the content
acquisition unit 134 acquires a second content CNT2 from the
content storage unit 135, which is shown in FIG. 10. The second
content CNT2 is a related content that is associated with the first
content CNT1 identified by the content identifier CID at a part
corresponding to the playback position shown by the counter CTR.
The second content CNT2 is in a format readable to the second
playback apparatus 14. For example, the second content CNT2 may be
wall-paper data, still image data, or relatively short video clip
data of a scene included in a movie. The content acquisition unit
134 then outputs the acquired second content CNT2 to the second
transmission unit 136.
(5) Content Storage Unit 135
As in an example shown in FIG. 10, the content storage unit 135
stores second contents CNT2 in a one-to-one correspondence with
pairs each made up of a content identifier CID and a counter CTR.
The content storage unit 135 is accessible from the content
acquisition unit 134. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the pair of
the content identifier CID-1 and the counter CTR-1 corresponds to
the second content CNT2-1, the pair of the content identifier CID-2
and the counter CTR-2 to the second content CNT2-2, and the pair of
the content identifier CID-k and the counter CTR-k to the second
content CNT2-k. The content identifiers CID, the counters CTR, and
the second content CNT2 stored in the content storage unit 135 are
the ones registered in advance by the content provider. For
example, a movie content provider generates pieces of wall-paper
data from movie scenes, and each piece of wall paper data is stored
along with a corresponding movie title and playback position
information.
(6) Second Transmission Unit 136
The second transmission unit 136 receives a destination address ADR
and a second content CNT2 from the destination address acquisition
unit 132 and the content acquisition unit 134, respectively. Based
on the received destination address ADR, the second transmission
unit 136 uniquely specifies the second playback apparatus 14 being
the transmission destination, and transmits the received second
content CNT2 to the specified second playback apparatus 14.
<Operations of Server 13>
Up to this point, the construction of the server 13 has been
described. Now, description is given to the operations of the
server 13 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11.
First, in the case where the first reception unit 131 has not yet
received playback position information TI1 from the first playback
apparatus 12 via the communications channel 11, the server 13
terminates the processing. Upon receipt of playback position
information TI1 by the first reception unit 131 from the first
playback apparatus 12 via the communications channel 11, the server
13 moves onto a step S152 described below (step S151).
Next, the first reception unit 131 extracts a user identifier UID,
a content identifier CID, and a counter CTR from the received
playback position information TI1 (step S152).
The first reception unit 131 then outputs the extracted user
identifier UID to the destination address acquisition unit 132
(step S153).
In addition, the first reception unit 131 outputs the extracted
content identifier CID and counter CTR to the content acquisition
unit 134 (step S154).
Next, the destination address acquisition unit 132 makes an access
to the destination address storage unit 133 to acquire, as a
destination address, the address of the second playback apparatus
14, which is owned by the user corresponding to the user identifier
UID that is received from the first reception unit 131. The
destination address acquisition unit 132 then transmits, to the
second transmission unit 136, the thus acquired destination address
ADR (step S155).
Next, the content acquisition unit 134 makes an access to the
content storage unit 135, based on the received content identifier
CID and counter CTR, to acquire a corresponding second content
CNT2, and outputs the acquired second content CNT2 to the second
transmission unit 136 (step S156).
The second transmission unit 136 receives the destination address
ADR and the second content CNT2 from the destination address
acquisition unit 132 and the content acquisition unit 134,
respectively. Based on the received destination address ADR, the
second transmission unit 136 uniquely specifies the second playback
apparatus 14 being the transmission destination, and transmits the
second content CNT2 to the specified second playback apparatus 14
(step S157).
This concludes the description of the construction and operations
of the server 13, which is one component of the contents linkage
information delivery system 1. Hereinafter, description is given to
the construction and operations of the second playback apparatus
14.
<Construction of Second Playback Apparatus 14>
As shown in FIG. 12, the second playback apparatus 14 is composed
of a second reception unit 141 and a second output unit 142.
(1) Second Reception Unit 141
When receiving a second content CNT2 from the server 13, the second
reception unit 141 transmits the received second content CNT2 to
the second output unit 142.
(2) Second Output Unit 142
The second output unit 142 sequentially outputs a second content
CNT2 transmitted from the second reception unit 141. The second
output unit 142 may include a display and a speaker to output video
and audio contents. Alternatively, the second output unit 142 may
output a content onto the portable medium 10 or another recording
medium, or produce a printed output.
<Operations of Second Playback Apparatus 14>
Up to this point, the construction of the second playback apparatus
14 has been descried. Hereinafter, description is given to the
operations of the second playback apparatus 14 with reference to
the flowchart shown in FIG. 13.
First, in the case where the second reception unit 141 has not yet
received a second content CNT2 from the server 13, the second
playback apparatus 14 terminates the processing. Upon receipt of a
second content CNT2 by the second reception unit 141 from the
server 13, the processing moves onto a step S202 described below
(step S201).
Next, the second reception unit 141 outputs the received second
content 14 to the second output unit 142 (step S202).
The second output unit 142 plays back the second content CNT2
received from the second reception unit 141 (step S203).
<Effect of Contents Linkage Information Delivery System
1>
Up to this point, description has been given to the embodiment of
the contents linkage information delivery system 1. The contents
linkage information delivery system 1 is so constructed that the
first playback apparatus 12 plays back a first content CNT1
included in content data CNTDATA, and transmits to the server 13,
playback position information TI1 specifying a position of the
first content CNT1 currently being played back. In response, the
server 13 transmits, with reference to the received playback
position information TI1, a second content CNT2 requested by a
user. The second playback apparatus 14 thus receives the second
content CNT2 that meets the user request. With this construction, a
content provider is allowed to flexibly provide content meeting
detailed requests of users.
<Modifications>
The embodiment described above is one example of the present
invention, and the present invention is in no way limited to this
specific embodiment. It is apparent that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the
present invention. The following modifications are also considered
to fall within the scope of the present invention.
(1) The first playback apparatus 12 may be so constructed that the
control unit 126 instructs causes to transmit playback position
information TI1 to the server 13 regardless of whether the request
input unit 125 has received an external input of a request REQ. For
example, during playback of a movie, the player may transmit
playback position information TI1 to the server 13 continually or
at regular internals of ten seconds. With this construction, the
second playback apparatus 14 is allowed to acquire a related
content without requiring the user to input a request REQ to the
first playback apparatus 12. Further, the second playback apparatus
14 is allowed to sequentially play back a related content, i.e., a
second content CNT2 associatively with a first content CNT1 being
played back by the first playback apparatus 12.
(2) The first playback apparatus 12 may be so constructed that the
control unit 126 stores each piece of playback position information
TI1 acquired in response to a request REQ received from the request
input unit 125 rather than immediately outputting to the first
transmission unit 127. For example, during playback of a movie
content, a user inputs a request to the first playback apparatus at
each scene of which related content the user may later request.
After playback of the whole movie content, the user can view a list
of scenes at which a request is made as shown in FIG. 14. Out of
the scenes in the list, the user selects, with a touch of a
corresponding button, a scene of which related content the user
requests to acquire. In response, playback position information of
the selected scene is transmitted to the sever, so that the
requested related content is acquired. With this construction, a
user is allowed to pre-select, as candidates for future selection,
each and every scene of his interest during playback of a movie
content, and selects scenes of which related contents the user
actually wish to acquire. Further, this construction allows the
user to concentrate on the movie content during playback, which
increases user convenience.
(3) The request input unit 125 of the first playback apparatus 12
receives a request REQ from outside. Here, it is possible to
include, in the request REQ, information specifying a position on a
display screen that displays a scene of the first content CNT1
included in the content data CNTDATA, and to include the
information specifying the display position in the playback
position information TI1. With this arrangement, the user is
allowed to inform the server 13, through the use of the first
playback apparatus 12, not only a scene of which related content
the user requests to acquire but also a particular display
position, of the scene, of which related content the user requests
to acquire. Accordingly, the content provider is allowed to
efficiently provide related contents meeting even more detailed
user requests. For example, during playback of a content, the user
is allowed to specify a point on a scene being displayed (for
example, a point corresponding to a building displayed at the upper
right of the display screen) with a mouse, for example. By
additionally including, in the playback position information TI1,
the information specifying the display position, the user is
allowed to acquire a content related to the specific display
position on the specific scene of a content.
(4) Related contents that the server 13 transmits to the second
playback apparatus 14 may be not only wall-paper data but also
video data, description data, text data or bulletin board data
relating to a scene of the first content CNT1 that is specified by
the playback position information TI1. For example, when a user
wishes to acquire information relating to a character or goods
appearing in a scene of a movie content being played back by the
first playback apparatus 12, the user can simply touch a button
saying "Who is this?" or "What is this?" displayed on the screen of
the first playback apparatus 12 during the scene. In response, the
server 13 transmits, as a second content CNT2, a profile of the
character or detailed information of the goods to the second
playback apparatus 14.
(5) The server 13 receives a plurality of pieces of playback
position information TI1 from the first playback apparatus 12.
Here, the server 13 may be constructed so as to generate a new
second content CNT2 by combining a plurality of second contents
CNT2 each corresponding to one of the received pieces of playback
position information, and transmits the thus generated new second
content CNT2 to the second playback apparatus 14. For example, a
user inputs a request to the first playback apparatus 12 at every
scene in which his favorite performer appears. Every time when
receiving such a request, the first playback apparatus 12 transmits
a corresponding piece of playback position information TI1 to the
server. With reference to the plurality of pieces of playback
position information TI1, the server acquires a plurality of pieces
of still image data to generate one piece of still image album data
using the acquired still image data. The server then transmits the
resulting still image album data as a second content CNT2 to the
second playback apparatus 14. As a result, the user receives the
second content CNT2 which is a combination of all the requested
scenes. With this arrangement, a content provider is allowed to
provide contents with even more flexibility.
(6) At the time of providing a second content CNT2, the server 13
may perform billing so that the user of the second playback
apparatus 14 is charged for the second content CNT2. When
performing billing, the user is identified with the user identifier
UID, for example. Billing may be performed before or after the
sever 13 transmits the second content CNT2. An amount to be billed
may be determined in various manners. For example, an amount to be
charged may differ depending on whether a content provided is a
sample or a commercial product or whether the number of usage
times. For example, when a second content CNT2 is a small-sized
image serving as a sample of another content, the second content
CNT2 may be provided to a user at no charge, while a second content
CNT2, which is a product version of the image which is lager and
better-quality, is provided at a charge. In another example,
wall-paper data is provided to a user at no charge for the first
time, and at a charge each time thereafter.
(7) The second playback apparatus 14 may be constructed so as to
double as the first playback apparatus 12. In other words, the
first playback apparatus 12 transmits, to the server 13, playback
position information TI1 relating to a playback position, and the
server 13 transmits a second content CNT2 back to the first
playback apparatus 12.
(8) The first playback apparatus 12 may be constructed so that the
control unit 126 acquires via the access unit 121, information
specifying a current playback position of the first content CNT1.
Further, the thus acquired information specifying the current
playback position of the first content CNT1 may be included,
instead of the counter CTR, in the counter playback position
information TI1 that is transmitted from the first playback
apparatus 12 to the server 13. For example, when content data
CNTDATA is stored in an optical disc, a playback position is
specified with a sector number, a track number, and an angle number
in the case of multi-angle. These numbers may be used in
combination with the counter CTR. With this arrangement, even if a
first content CNT1 includes a branch, so that there is a plurality
of possible scenarios one of which a user can select, the first
playback apparatus 12 is allowed to accurately inform the server 13
of a current playback position of the first content CNT1 being
played back by the current output unit 122. Further, the server 13
is allowed to be accurately informed of a current playback position
of the first content CNT1 being played back by the current output
unit 122 of the first playback apparatus 12 even if the first
content CNT1 is a multi-angle content, which is composed of a
plurality of video images.
(9) The first playback apparatus 12 may acquire content data
CNTDATA not necessarily from the portable medium 10 but also via a
network.
(10) The sever 13 may be constructed without the destination
address storage unit 133, so that the destination address
acquisition unit 132 may acquire a destination address ADR from an
external source via a network. Further, the server 13 may be
constructed without the content storage unit 135, so that the
content acquisition unit 134 may acquire a second content CNT2 from
an external source via a network.
(11) The first playback apparatus 12 may be provided with a
fast-forward and fast-reverse function of the first content CNT1
according to playback control information provided externally. Even
with this construction, the counter unit 123 may be constructed to
hold a counter CTR that properly specifies a playback position of a
first content CNT1 currently being played back by the first output
unit 122.
(12) The first playback apparatus 12 may be constructed so that the
control unit 126 is provided with a function of extracting, via the
access unit 121, a part of a first content CNT1 that is currently
played back by the current first output unit 122. Further, the
first playback apparatus 12 may transmit to the server 13, a part
of first content CNT1 being played back by the current first output
unit 122. In other words, in response to a request REQ inputted
from outside, the first playback apparatus 12 extracts, from the
content data CONTDATA, a part of the first content CNT1 that is
currently played back, and transmits to the server 13, playback
position information TI1 that includes the extracted part. In
response, the server 13 performs some kind of conversion on the
received part of the first content CNT1 when required, and then
generates a second content CNT2 from the part of the first content
CNT1. The server 13 transmits the thus generated second content
CNT2 to the second playback apparatus 14. For example, when a user
touches a button displayed on the first playback apparatus 12 for
acquisition of a related content, the first playback apparatus 12
fetches, from the content data CNTDATA, video data corresponding to
a part of a first content CNT1 that is currently played back, and
transmits the fetched video data to the server 13 without any
processing performed thereon. Upon receipt of the video data, the
server 13 performs conversion so as to generate wall-paper data
using a part of the received video data, and then transmits the
wall-paper data to the second playback apparatus 14. This
arrangement eliminates the need for the content provider to provide
the server 13 with second contents CNT2 in advance.
(13) The communications channel 11 via which the server 13
transmits a second content CNT2 to the second playback apparatus 14
may be a separate communications channel from the communications
channel 11 via which the first playback apparatus 12 transmits
playback position information TI1 to the server 13. For example,
the first playback apparatus 12 transmits playback position
information TI1 to the server 13 via a dedicated line, and the
server 13 transmits a second content CNT2 to the second playback
apparatus 14 via the Internet.
(14) A request REQ that the first playback apparatus 12 receives
may include the degree of user's interest in the requested first
content CNT1, and the first playback apparatus 12 transmits to the
server 13, playback position information TI1 that includes the
degree of user's interest. With this arrangement, the user is
allowed to inform, with the use of the first playback apparatus 12,
the server 13 of the degree of his interest in a first content CNT1
currently being played back. Based on the information on the degree
of the user's interest, the content provider is allowed to provide
related contents more suitably to the user's interest. For example,
a user gives a score according to the degree of his interest in a
movie content currently being played back, and transmits the score
to the server 13 with the user of, for example, a keypad attached
to the player. When receiving a high score, the server 13
transmits, as a second content, a title of a similar type movie for
recommendation. On the other hand, when receiving a low score, the
server 13 transmits, as a second content, a title of a different
type movie for recommendation.
(15) The first playback apparatus 12 may be constructed so that
user identifiers UID stored in the user information storage unit
124 may be inputted externally. For example, a user preliminarily
goes through user registration on a registry server through, for
example, a WEB service in order to acquire a user identifier UID.
The user is then inputs the acquired user identifier UID to the
first playback apparatus 12. In another example, a user-owned
credit card number may be used as a user identifier UID.
(16) Prior to transmission from the server 13 to the second
playback apparatus 14, a second content CNT2 may be processed in
order to provide protection against unauthorized distribution. For
example, a digital watermark may be embedded in a second content
CNT2.
(17) The first playback apparatus 12 may be constructed without the
first transmission unit 127, so that the control unit 126 outputs
playback position information TI1 via the first output unit 122 to
outside. The second playback apparatus 14 may be provided with an
input unit for receiving an input of the playback position
information TI1, and a transmission unit for transmitting the
playback position information TI1. To request a related content, a
user inputs playback position information TI1 that has been
outputted from the first playback apparatus 12 via the first output
unit 122 to the input unit of the second playback apparatus 14, so
that the playback position information TI1 is transmitted from the
second playback apparatus 14 to the server 13. With this
construction, even when the first playback apparatus 12 is not
connected to the communications channel 11, a related content that
relates to the first content CNT1 being played back by the first
playback apparatus 12 is acquired. Here, the playback position
information TI1 outputted from the first playback apparatus 12 may
be a G-code, which is a series of numbers used for recording TV
programs, or a QR code, which is a new-generation bar code.
Further, it may be applicable that playback position information
TI1 printed, for example, on a magazine is inputted to the second
playback apparatus 14 via the input unit, and transmitted from the
second playback apparatus 14 to the server 13 in a manner similar
to the above. Note that the playback position information TI1 that
has been outputted from the first playback apparatus 12 may be
inputted to a separate apparatus from the second playback apparatus
14.
(18) There may be provided a function to cancel a request REQ for a
related content any time between receipt of by the request input
unit 125 and transmission by the first playback apparatus 12 to the
server 13. Further, there may be provided a function to cancel a
request REQ any time between receipt of the request REQ by the
first playback apparatus 12 and transmission of a requested second
content CNT2 by the server 13 to the second playback apparatus
14.
(19) The playback position information TI1 transmitted from the
first playback apparatus 12 to the server 13 may include, instead
of a user identifier UID, a destination address ADR specifying a
second playback apparatus 14 being the destination.
(20) Content identifiers CID used by the first playback apparatus
12 and the server 13 may be disc identifiers unique to each disc.
Each disc identifier uniquely identifies a disc.
(21) The present invention may be embodied as a method described
above, or a computer program performing the method with a computer.
Further, the present invention may be digital signals representing
the computer program.
Still further, the present invention may be embodied as a
computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program or
the digital signals. Examples of such a recording medium include a
semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a
DVD-RAM.
(22) The present invention may be embodied as any combination of
the above embodiments and modifications.
Embodiment 2
Now, description is given to a contents linkage information
delivery system 2 as an embodiment 2 of the present invention. In
the contents linkage information delivery system 1 according to
embodiment 1, playback position information is transmitted from the
playback apparatus to the server. The contents linkage information
delivery system 2 according to embodiment 2 greatly differs from
that of embodiment 1 in that playback position information is
transmitted from the server to the playback apparatus.
First, with reference to FIG. 15, an overview of embodiment 2 is
given and then a concrete example is described briefly.
In the figure, a reference numeral 20 denotes a portable medium.
Similarly to the portable medium 10, the portable medium 20 is a
recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM having content data
CNTDATA recorded thereon. The content data CNTDATA includes a first
content CNT1, such as a video content or an audio content, in a
format compliant with a later described playback apparatus 22.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a communications channel, which is a
network such as the Internet which is similar to the communications
channel 11. Reference numeral 22 is the playback apparatus which is
an apparatus that reads and plays back the first content CNT1
included in the content data CNTDATA recorded on the portable
medium 20. When receiving from an externally inputted user request
REQ requesting playback position information TI2, the playback
apparatus 22 transmits a playback position information request
REQTI to a server 23 via the communications channel 21. When
receiving from the server 23, playback position information TI2
regarding a playback position of a content, and receiving from
outside, permission PRM indicating that the user has agreed to
change a current playback position of the content, the playback
apparatus 22 changes the current playback position of the first
content CNT1 based on the received playback position information
TI2. The playback apparatus 22 then starts or re-starts playback of
the first content CNT1 from the newly set playback position.
Reference numeral 23 denotes the server which transmits, in
response to a playback position information request REQTI, playback
position information TI2 to the playback apparatus 22 via the
communications channel 21.
The contents linkage information delivery system 2 is applicable to
where a content provider has delivered content data CNTDATA to a
user by way of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM.
Based on an externally inputted request REQ, the user transmits a
playback position information request REQTI to the server 23. In
response to the playback position information request REQTI, the
server 23 transmits playback position information TI2 back to the
playback apparatus 22. Based on the received playback position
information TI2 and permission PRM, the playback apparatus 22
changes the playback position of the first content CNT1 included in
the content data CNTDATA. As above, according to the contents
linkage information delivery system 2, a content provider transmits
playback position information of a content to a user's playback
apparatus, so that recommended scenes of content are flexibly
provided.
Next, a concrete example employing the present embodiment is
briefly described. A user owns a DVD player (playback apparatus
22). The DVD player is connected to the Internet (communications
channel 21) and thus can browse an Internet bulletin board offered
by a bulletin board server (server 23) The user mounts a DVD
(portable medium 20) on the DVD player and depresses a button
provided on the DVD player for bulletin board acquisition
(acquisition request REQ). In response, the DVD player transmits
information of the DVD being mounted thereon to the bulletin board
server, and then receives bulletin board data that includes
playback position information (playback position information TI2)
of the DVD. With reference to messages on the bulletin board, the
user depresses a button provided on the DVD player to give
permission to change the playback position (permission PRM). In
response, the DVD player changes the playback position based on the
playback position information included in the bulletin board data,
so that playback of the content starts from the scene corresponding
to the specified playback time. In this manner, the user can play
pack the scenes recommended by messages in the bulletin board.
This concludes the brief description of the present embodiment.
Now, description is given in detail to the contents linkage
information delivery system 2 which is one embodiment of the
present invention.
<Construction of Contents Linkage Information Delivery System
2>
As shown in FIG. 15, the contents linkage information delivery
system 2 is composed of the portable medium 20, the communications
channel 21, the playback apparatus 22, and the server 23.
The playback apparatus 22 plays back a first content CNT1 that is
included in the content data CNTDATA recorded on the portable
medium 20. Further, in response to an external request REQ, the
playback apparatus 22 transmits a playback position information
request REQTI to the server 23. When receiving playback position
information TI2 from the server 23 and permission PRM from outside,
the playback apparatus 22 changes the playback position of the
first content CNT1 included in the content data CNTDATA based on
the received playback position information TI2, and plays back the
first content CNT1 starting from the newly set playback position.
When receiving the playback position information request REQTI from
the playback apparatus 22, the server 23 transmits playback
position information TI2 back to the playback apparatus 22.
Hereinafter, description is given in detail to the above
components. However, description of the portable medium 20 and the
communications channel 21 is omitted herein because they are
similar in construction to the portable medium 10 and the
communications channel 11, respectively, of the contents linkage
information delivery system 1. Now, description is given to the
construction and operation of both the playback apparatus 22 and
the server 23.
<Construction of Playback Apparatus 22>
As shown in FIG. 16, the playback apparatus 22 is composed of a
first control unit 221, an output unit 222, a content identifier
storage unit 223, a user information storage unit 224, a request
input unit 225, a second control unit 226, a first transmission
unit 227, a first reception unit 228, and a permission input unit
229. Here, the output unit 222, the user information storage unit
224, and the request input unit 225 are similar to corresponding
components of the first playback apparatus 12 included in the
contents linkage information delivery system 1 according to
embodiment 1, namely the first output unit 122, the user
information storage unit 124, and the request input unit 125. Thus,
description hereinafter is given to the first control unit 221, the
content identifier storage unit 223, the second control unit 226,
the first transmission unit 227, the first reception unit 228, and
the permission input unit 229.
(1) First Control Unit 221
To start playback of the first content CNT1 recorded on the
portable medium 20, the first control unit 221 reads content data
CNTDATA recorded on the portable medium 20 to extract a content
identifier CID, and outputs the extracted content identifier CID to
the content identifier storage unit 223. Thereafter, the first
control unit 221 keeps reading the content data CNTDATA recorded on
the portable medium 20 to sequentially output the first content
CNT1 part by part to the output unit 222. Further, when receiving
playback position information TI2 from the first reception unit 228
and permission PRM from the permission input unit 229, the first
control unit 221 changes the extraction position of the first
content according to a counter CTR included in the received
playback position information TI2. The first control unit 221 then
sequentially extracts the first content CNT1 part by part starting
from the newly set playback position, and outputs the extracted
part of the first content CNT1 to the output unit 222.
(2) Content Identifier Storage Unit 223
As shown in FIG. 17, the content identifier storage unit 223 stores
a content identifier CID, and when receiving another content
identifier CID from the first control unit 221, additionally stores
the received content identifier CID. Each content identifier CID
uniquely identifies a first content CNT1 included in content data
CNTDATA.
(3) Second Control Unit 226
Upon receipt of a request REQ from the request input unit 225, the
second control unit 226 acquires a content identifier CID and a
user identifier UID from the content identifier storage unit 223
and the user information storage unit 224, respectively. The second
control unit 226 generates playback position information request
REQTI that is composed of the user identifier UID and the content
identifier CID, as shown in FIG. 18, and then outputs the thus
generated playback position information request REQTI to the first
transmission unit 227.
(4) First Transmission Unit 227
The first transmission unit 227 transmits, to the server 23 via the
communications channel 21, a playback position information request
REQTI that is received from the second control unit 226.
(5) First Reception Unit 228
When receiving playback position information TI2 from the server 23
via the communications channel 21, the first reception unit 228
transmits the received playback position information TI2 to the
first control unit 221. As shown in FIG. 19, the playback position
information TI2 is composed of a content identifier CID and a
counter CTR.
(6) Permission Input Unit 229
The permission input unit 229 receives an external input of
permission PRM. To be more specific, the permission input unit 229
is provided with, for example, a button, a keypad, a computer
keyboard, or a mouse. Permission PRM is a signal indicative of
whether to permit the playback position of the first content CNT1
to be changed according to playback position information TI2
received by the playback apparatus 22. Permission PRM is issued in
response, for example, to a push of a button. When receiving an
external input of permission PRM, the permission input unit 229
judges that the user permits to change the playback position of the
first content CNT1, and outputs the received permission PRM to the
first control unit 221.
<Operations of Playback Apparatus 22>
Up to this point, description has been given to the construction of
the playback apparatus 22. Hereinafter, description is given to the
operations of the playback apparatus 22 with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 20.
First, to start playback of a first content CNT1 recorded on the
portable medium 20, the first control unit 221 extracts a content
identifier CID from the content data CNTDATA, and outputs the
extracted content identifier CID to the content identifier storage
unit 223. In response, the content identifier storage unit 223
stores therein the received content identifier CID (step S301).
Next, when receiving an external input of a request REQ, the
request input unit 225 outputs the received request REQ to the
second control unit 226. The processing then goes onto a step S303
described below. In the case where the request input unit 225 has
received no request REQ, the processing goes onto a step S305
described below (step S302).
Next, the second control unit 226 extracts the content identifier
CID from the content identifier storage unit 223, and the user
identifier UID from the user identifier storage unit 224. The
second control unit 226 then generates, from the extracted content
identifier CID and user identifier UID, a playback position
information request REQTI that is composed of the content
identifier CID and the user identifier UID, and then outputs the
generated playback position information request REQTI to the first
transmission unit 227 (step S303).
In response, the first transmission unit 227 transmits the received
playback position information request REQTI to the server 23 (step
S304).
Next, when receiving the playback position information TI2, the
first reception unit 228 outputs the received playback position
information TI2 to the first control unit 221, and then the
processing goes onto a step S306. In the case where the first
reception unit 228 has received no playback position information
TI2, the processing is terminated (step S305).
Next, when receiving an external input of permission PRM, the
permission input unit 229 outputs the received permission PRM to
the first control unit, and then the processing goes onto a step
S307 described below. On the other hand, when the permission input
unit 229 has received no external input of permission PRM, the
processing is terminated (step S306).
According to the counter CTR included in the received playback
position information TI2, the first control unit sets to change the
extraction position of the first content CNT1 included in the
content data CNTDATA recorded on the portable medium 20, so that
extraction of the first content is started from the newly set
playback position (step S307).
The first control unit 221 sequentially extracts the first content
CNT1 part by part from the content data CNTDATA recorded on the
portable medium 20, and outputs the extracted part to the output
unit 222 (step S308).
Next, the output unit 222 sequentially plays back the first content
CNT1 received from the first content CNT1 (step S309).
The first control unit 221 terminates the processing at the time
when the output unit 222 completes the output of the entire first
content CNT1 included in the content data CNTDATA. On the other
hand, when the first content CNT1 has not yet been played back
completely, the processing goes back to the step S308 (step
S313).
This completes the construction and processing of the playback
apparatus 22, which is one component of the contents linkage
information delivery system 2. Now, description is given to the
constructions and operations of the server 23.
<Construction of Server 23>
As shown in FIG. 21, the server 23 is composed of a second
reception unit 231, a destination address acquisition unit 232, a
destination address storage unit 233, a playback position
information acquisition unit 234, a playback position information
storage unit 235, and a second transmission unit 236. Here, the
destination address acquisition unit 232 and the destination
address storage unit 233 are similar to corresponding components of
the server 13 included in the contents linkage information delivery
system 1 according to embodiment 1, namely the destination address
acquisition unit 132 and the destination address storage unit 133.
Thus, description hereinafter is given to the second reception unit
231, the playback position information acquisition unit 234, the
playback position information storage unit 235, and the second
transmission unit 236.
(1) Second Reception Unit 231
The second reception unit 231 receives playback position
information TI2 from the first playback apparatus 22 via the
communications channel 21. Upon receipt, the second reception unit
231 extracts a user identifier UID and a content identifier CID
from the received playback position information TI2, and outputs
the extracted user identifier UID and content identifier CID to the
destination address acquisition unit 232 and the playback position
information acquisition unit 234, respectively.
(2) Playback Position Information Acquisition Unit 234
The playback position information acquisition unit 234 receives a
content identifier CID from the second reception unit 231. Upon
receipt, the playback position information acquisition unit 234
makes an access to the playback position information storage unit
235, which is shown in FIG. 22, to acquire playback position
information TI2 that corresponds to the received content identifier
CID. The playback position information acquisition unit 234 then
outputs the acquired playback position information TI2 to the
second transmission unit 236.
(3) Playback Position Information Storage Unit 235
As shown in FIG. 22, the playback position information storage unit
235, for example, stores pieces of playback position information
TI2 in a one-to-one correspondence with content identifiers CID.
The playback position information storage unit 235 shown in FIG. 22
stores the playback position information TI2-1 that corresponds to
the content identifier CID-1, the playback position information
TI2-2 that corresponds to the content identifier CID-2, and the
playback position information TI2-k that corresponds to the content
identifier CID-k. The content identifiers CID and corresponding
pieces of playback position information TI2 are registered in
advance by the content provider.
(4) Second Transmission Unit 236
The second transmission unit 236 acquires a destination address ADR
and playback position information TI2 from the destination address
acquisition unit 232 and the playback position information
acquisition unit 234, respectively. With reference to the received
destination address ADR, the second transmission unit 236 uniquely
identifies the playback apparatus 22 being the transmission
destination, and transmits the received playback position
information TI2 to the identified playback apparatus 22.
<Operations of Server 23>
Up to this point, description has been given to the construction of
the server 23. Now, description is given to the operations of the
server 23 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 23.
First, in the case where the second reception unit 231 has received
no playback position information request REQTI from the playback
apparatus 22 via the communications channel 21, the processing is
terminated. On the other hand, when the second reception unit 231
has received a playback position information request REQTI from the
playback apparatus 22 via the communications channel 21, the
processing goes onto a step S352 described below (step S351).
The second reception unit 231 extracts a user identifier UID and a
content identifier CID from the received playback position
information request REQTI (step S352).
The second reception unit 231 outputs the extracted user identifier
UID to the destination address acquisition unit 232 (step
S353).
Further, the second reception unit 231 outputs the extracted
content identifier CID to the playback position information
acquisition unit 234 (step S354).
Next, the destination address acquisition unit 232 accesses the
destination address storage unit 233 to acquire, with reference to
the received user identifier UID, a destination address ADR of the
playback apparatus 22 that corresponds to the received user
identifier UID. The destination address acquisition unit 232 then
outputs the acquired destination address ADR to the second
transmission unit 236 (step S355).
Next, the playback position information acquisition unit 234 makes
an access to the playback position information storage unit 235 to
acquire, with reference to the content identifier CID received from
the second reception unit 231, playback position information TI2
that corresponds to the received content identifier CID. The
playback position information acquisition unit 234 then outputs the
acquired playback position information TI2 to the second reception
unit 236 (step S356).
Next, the second transmission unit 236 receives the destination
address ADR and the playback position information TI2 from the
destination address acquisition unit 232 and the playback position
information acquisition unit 234, respectively. Based on the
received destination address ADR, the second transmission unit 236
uniquely identifies the playback apparatus 22 being the
transmission destination of the received playback position
information TI2, and transmits the playback position information
TI2 to the thus identified playback apparatus 22 (step S357).
This concludes the description of the construction and operations
of the server 23, which is a component of the contents linkage
information delivery system 2.
<Effect of Contents Linkage Information Delivery System
2>
Up to this point, description has been given to the embodiment of
the contents linkage information delivery system 2. The contents
linkage information delivery system 2 is so constructed that the
playback apparatus 22 transmits, in response to an external input
of a request REQ, a playback position information request REQTI to
the server 23. In response, the server 23 transmits playback
position information TI2 back to the playback apparatus 22. The
playback position information TI2 specifies a playback position of
a first content CNT1 included in content data CNTDATA. The playback
apparatus 23 changes the playback position of the content according
to the playback position information TI2 received from the server
23 and permission PRM received externally. With this construction,
the user is allowed to playback a specific part of the first
content CNT1 as specified by the serve 23 with no extra operations.
In other words, the contents linkage information delivery system 2
allows the content provider to specify a playback position of a
first content CNT1 with ease.
<Modifications>
The embodiment described above is one example of the present
invention, and the present invention is in no way limited to this
specific embodiment. It is apparent that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the
present invention. The following modifications are also considered
to fall within the scope of the present invention.
(1) Instead of playback position information TI2, the server 23 may
transmit to the playback apparatus 22 a third content that includes
playback position information TI2. The first control unit 221 of
the playback apparatus 22 may generate a combined content using the
first content CNT1 that is included in the content data CNTDATA and
a remaining part of the third content aside from the playback
position information TI2, and then output the resulting combined
content to the output unit 222. The output unit 222 may play back
the received combined content. In short, the server 23 may transmit
to the playback apparatus 22, a bulletin board content that
includes playback position information TI2. In response, the
playback apparatus 22 reads the bulletin board content.
Consequently, the playback apparatus 22 may display, as shown in
FIG. 24, the first content CNT1 on the left half of the display
screen and the bulletin board content on the right half of the
display screen. With this arrangement, the user can refer to the
bulletin board content while viewing the first content CNT1. When
the user selects the playback position information TI2 mentioned in
the bulletin board content, the playback position of the first
content CNT1 is changed based on the playback position information
TI2, so that the first content CNT1 on the left of the display
screen and the bulletin board on the right are associatively played
back. In the example shown in FIG. 25, when the user selects a
"playback" button provided on the display screen for a message on
the displayed bulletin board, the playback position of the first
content CNT1 is changed to the playback position specified by the
playback position information TI2 that corresponds to the selected
message. As a result, the selected part of the first content CNT1
is played back on the left half of the display screen.
(2) The playback apparatus 22 may be so constructed that the second
control unit 226 transmits a playback position information request
REQTI to the server 23 regardless of whether the request input unit
225 has received an external input of a request REQ. For example,
while playing back a movie, the player transmits a playback
position information request REQTI, to a server continuously or
periodically. With this construction, the playback apparatus 22 may
acquire playback position information TI2 without requiring the
user to input a request REQ to the playback apparatus 22. Further,
in combination with the modification (1) of embodiment 2, the
playback apparatus 22 is allowed to sequentially play back the
first content CNT1 associatively with a related content. In the
example shown in FIG. 26, the player plays back a movie content
onto the left half of the display screen. Concurrently, the player
sequentially transmits a current playback position of the movie
content to the server. In response, the player receives a bulletin
board content related to the part of the movie content that is
currently played back, so that the received bulletin board content
is associatively displayed on the right half of the display screen.
Note that it may be applicable to solely play back the first
content CNT1 without displaying the bulletin board data. In this
case, the user inputs a request REQ for a related content during
the playback of the first content CNT1, and the play back apparatus
22 displays a list of requested related contents as shown in FIG.
27 after completing the playback of the first content CNT1. The
user then selects to display any of the related contents.
(3) It is applicable to include a content identifier CID in
playback position information TI2. Here, the playback apparatus 22
may be constructed so as to output the received playback position
information TI2 to the first control unit 221 only when the content
identifier CID included in the received playback position
information TI2 matches a content identifier CID stored in the
content identifier storage unit 223. With this arrangement, the
server 23 transmits playback position information T2 to an
indefinite number of destinations. Here, the playback apparatus 22
selectively uses playback position information TI2 that includes a
content identifier CID matching a content identifier CID that is
included in the currently set content data CNTDATA.
(4) It is applicable that the server 23 transmits playback position
information TI2 that includes information specifying, in terms of a
position on a display screen, a section of a scene of a first
content CNT1 included in the content data CNTDATA currently being
played back. With this arrangement, the user is informed of, from
the server 23 through the use of the playback apparatus 22, not
only recommended scenes of the first content CNT1 but also which
particular section of the scenes on the display screen are
recommended. In other words, a content provider is allowed to
present users detailed information on scenes recommended. For
example, the playback apparatus 22 may be constructed to display
marks such as a square or a circle so as to point out a specific
section (for example, a building displayed on the top right) of a
scene displayed on the display screen. In this way, the content
provider is allowed to present recommended scenes in detail to
users.
(5) The server 23 may charge a user of the playback apparatus 22
upon providing playback position information TI2 to the playback
apparatus 22. Here, the user is specified with the user of, for
example, a user identifier UID. Note that billing processing may be
performed before or after the transmission of playback position
information TI2 from the server 23. The amount to be charged may be
determined in various manners, and may differ depending on the
number of times the playback position information has been
provided. For example, playback position information may be
provided at no charge for the first time and on a chargeable basis
each time thereafter.
(6) The server 23 transmits to the playback apparatus 22, playback
position information TI2 after processing to prevent unauthorized
distribution of contents. To this end, for example, the playback
position information TI2 may be encrypted.
(7) The playback apparatus 22 may be constructed to change, upon
receipt of playback position information, the extraction position
of the first content CNT1 according to the value of the counter CTR
included in the received playback position information TI2 even
when the permission input unit 229 has received no external input
of permission PRM and thus the first control unit 221 has received
no permission PRM. For example, the playback apparatus 22 may be
constructed to change the playback position upon receipt of
playback position information TI2 without prompting the user with a
message "Playback position to be changed?".
(8) The server 23 may be constructed to transmit, to the playback
apparatus 22, playback position information TI2 that includes
control information used to control playback operation of the first
content CNT1. When the playback apparatus 22 starts to play back a
position of the first content CNT1 corresponding to the counter CTR
specified by the playback position information TI2, the playback
operation is performed according to the control information. For
example, when the playback apparatus 22 starts to play back a
specified position of the first content CNT1, a comment may be
superposed on the display screen or the playback may be switched to
another scene.
(9) Specifically speaking, each apparatus described above is a
computer system that is basically composed of a microprocessor,
ROM, RAM, a hard disk unit, a display unit, a keyboard, and a
mouse. The RAM or the hard disk unit stores therein a computer
program. Each apparatus performs its function by the microprocessor
operating according to the computer program.
(10) The present invention may be embodied as a method implementing
the steps described above, or as a computer program for use by a
computer to implement such a method. Further, the present invention
may be implemented as digital signals representing such a computer
program.
Still further, the present invention may be embodied as a
computer-readable medium storing the computer program or digital
signals mentioned above. Examples of such a computer-readable
medium include a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, CD-ROM,
DVD-ROM, and DVD-RAM.
(11) Still further, the present invention may be embodied as any
combination of the above preferred embodiments and
modifications.
EFFECT OF PRESENT INVENTION
As described above, the present invention is made in view of
problems inherent to the conventional systems. The present
invention provides a contents linkage information delivery system
to play back a content recorded on a recording medium and to
provide, in response to a user request, a related content via a
communications channel. Here, the content recorded on a recording
medium is not an HTML content that includes links to related
contents, but a video or audio content including no links to
related contents.
According to the present invention, a content provider is allowed
to provide, from a server, a related content that relates to a
content recorded on a recording medium, and a user is allowed to
play back, with a playback apparatus, the content recorded on the
recording medium associatively with the related contents stored on
the server. Here, the contents linkage information delivery system
of the present invention does not require the content recorded on
the recording medium to include a link to the related content on
the server. With this feature, there is a significant effect that
the present invention is applicable to existing DVDs and CDs
storing movie or music contents that include no link
information.
As described above, the present invention is highly valuable as it
provides a contents linkage information delivery system that
achieves effect that is not achieved by no other conventional
systems.
Although the present invention has been fully described by way of
examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and
modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they
should be construed as being included therein.
* * * * *